With college pro days winding down, prospect-team visits ramping up, and free-agent signings, trades, and releases changing the face of NFL rosters, I am pleased to present my 2019 NFL Mock Draft 3.0. This two-round edition is based on the current draft order and my impression of team needs as of April 5, and does not reflect any potential trade scenarios.
FIRST ROUND
1 | Arizona Cardinals — Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
In the two months that have passed since I boldly forecast Murray to Arizona at #1 in my Mock Draft 1.0, it’s become the consensus projection.
2 | San Francisco 49ers — Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
The 49ers acquired Dee Ford from the Chiefs to man the edge, freeing them up to consider taking Williams to team with DeForest Bucker on the interior.
3 | New York Jets — Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Needing an edge presence, the draft gods smile upon the Jets once more, as Bosa, expected to be out of their reach even at #3, falls right into their lap.
4 | Oakland Raiders — Josh Allen, RSH, Kentucky
The Raiders handed out huge contracts to fill holes in free agency, but they still need an alpha edge defender. The do-everything Allen fits the profile.
5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
After locking up left tackle Donovan Smith, the Buccaneers tap the pro-ready Taylor to be their bookend anchor on the right.
6 | New York Giants — Devin White, LB, LSU
It’s been a long time since the Giants have had a stud linebacker. With his speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability, White is exactly that.
7 | Jacksonville Jaguars — T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
The Jaguars have their new quarterback in Nick Foles. Having a do-it-all tight end like Hockenson would help him deliver.
8 | Detroit Lions — Montez Sweat, RSH, Mississippi State
Sweat’s epic draft process was nearly derailed by the detection of a heart condition, but it doesn’t expect to dissuade the Lions from pairing him with Trey Flowers.
9 | Buffalo Bills — Brian Burns, RSH, Florida State
The Bills were short on sacks this past season. Drafting a long, lean pass rusher in Burns should help them pressure the quarterback.
10 | Denver Broncos — Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
The Broncos choose to bet on their trade for quarterback Joe Flacco and draft Oliver to wreak havoc in the trenches as Von Miller and Bradley Chubb take the edge.
11 | Cincinnati Bengals — Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Long-time starter Andy Dalton transitions to bridge quarterback for the Bengals as the new regime drafts his successor in Haskins.
12 | Green Bay Packers — Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
The Packers spent big bucks to overhaul the edge and deep middle of their defense in free agency. In Bush, they secure their new second-level centerpiece.
13 | Miami Dolphins — Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama
The cupboards are bare almost everywhere in Miami, so drafting a cornerstone blocker in Williams to help their rebuild could be a consideration.
14 | Atlanta Falcons — Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
The Falcons have made offseason moves in an attempt to upgrade their offensive line, but right tackle remains a weak point. Ford resolves that issue.
15 | Washington Redskins — Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The Redskins could consider moving this pick in a trade for Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen. If they don’t, Lock is the alternative to replace the injured Alex Smith.
16 | Carolina Panthers — Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
The Panthers signed free agent Matt Paradis to replace the retired Ryan Kalil at center. They draft Dillard to supplant his since-released brother, Matt Kalil, at left tackle.
17 | New York Giants (via CLE) — Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
Gary’s athletic profile and upside could see him drafted higher, but his positional fit and limited production could see him settle in later — perhaps with the Giants at #17.
18 | Minnesota Vikings — Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Upgrading the offensive line in some way, shape, or form needs to be a focus for the Vikings, but the promise of Fant may be too appealing to pass up.
19 | Tennessee Titans — Garrett Bradbury, C, North Carolina State
The Titans could go in a number of different directions here, but the plug-and-play Bradbury may present the best value as they continue shoring up their offensive line.
20 | Pittsburgh Steelers — Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Signing free-agent cornerback Steven Nelson is a stop-gap move at best, so the Steelers grab Greedy to increase the difficulty level for opposing passers.
21 | Seattle Seahawks — Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
With only four picks, the Seahawks would seem likely to trade out of the first round to acquire more assets. But if they stay, a long, tall corner like Layne could be an option.
22 | Baltimore Ravens — A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Lamar Jackson doesn’t have much to work with currently if he is to continue developing as a passer. Brown brings a strong, all-around skillset and WR1 upside.
23 | Houston Texans — Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
The Houston offensive line is comprised of spare parts and experiments. Risner is a pro-ready prospect who projects as a day-one starter at tackle or guard.
24 | Oakland Raiders (via CHI) — Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
The Raiders recently signed journeyman Isaiah Crowell, but he’s more committee back than bell cow. Jacobs, meanwhile, has feature back traits and potential.
25 | Philadelphia Eagles — Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
The Eagles have injury concerns at safety with Rodney McLeod and Andrew Sendejo, and Adderley has been connected to his hometown team throughout the process.
26 | Indianapolis Colts — D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
Wide receiver might be rich for the Colts in the first round, but if the lottery ticket that is D.K. Metcalf indeed pays off, it would be well worth the price.
27 | Oakland Raiders (via DAL) — Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
Murphy is the highest-graded player remaining on the board and seems like a prospect Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden would both covet for their defensive backfield.
28 | Los Angeles Chargers — Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
The Chargers don’t look like they have a long-term solution at right tackle on the roster. McGary’s stock is on the rise and might land him in the first round.
29 | Kansas City Chiefs — Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Following the free-agent signings of Tyrann Mathieu and Bashaud Breeland, the Chiefs could add Baker to complete the total makeover of their secondary.
30 | Green Bay Packers (via NO) — Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame
The Packers continue the offseason rebuild of their defense, further fortifying their front seven with the addition of Tillery.
31 | Los Angeles Rams — Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson
With their one-year rental of veteran Ndamukong Suh at its end, the Rams select Lawrence to be his long-term replacement along their formidable front line.
32 | New England Patriots — Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
The Patriots currently have 12 picks. Would it really shock you if they gamble that a top-10 prospect recovering from a torn ACL could be ready in time for a Super Bowl run?
SECOND ROUND
Jason Pruett
DRAFTPLEX